Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Sheep: Selenium Deficiency and Muscular Dystrophy

Selenium deficiency causes white muscle disease in lambs, a painful and often fatal condition that is entirely preventable through appropriate supplementation.

Key Facts

White muscle disease is caused by selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency in lambs
Affected lambs show stiffness, weakness, and difficulty standing, often dying within days
The condition affects skeletal and cardiac muscle, causing myopathy and heart failure
UK soils vary greatly in selenium content, with acid soils in upland areas particularly deficient
Supplementation of ewes in late pregnancy or lambs at birth prevents the condition

Welfare Considerations

White muscle disease causes acute pain through muscle degeneration and a distressing death from cardiac failure in young lambs. This entirely preventable condition reflects a failure in mineral nutrition management. Knowing the selenium status of your farm through soil, pasture, or blood testing enables targeted, cost-effective supplementation that eliminates this welfare problem.

What You Can Do

Test blood selenium levels in ewes before the lambing season
Supplement deficient ewes with selenium and vitamin E as directed by your vet
Administer selenium supplements to lambs at birth in known deficient areas
Work with your vet to establish a monitoring programme appropriate to your farm
Record cases of white muscle disease to identify and address recurring deficiency